The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1917. N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13580, 7 September 1917, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1917. N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

The members of the Farmers' Union in the Waikato Sub-Provincial District

are to be heartily congratulated upon the acquirement and official opening of

their premises in Hood street. The move is an indication of their confidence in the future of the I'nion, and it will without doubt prove a potent factor in maintaining interest in all matters pertaining to the farming industry. It has long been a taunt against farmers that they have no cohesion, and do not realise the benefits of combination and co-operation for the attainment of their purposes. This has, perhaps, been true in the past, but there are many manifestations that the old order is undergoing change and the Farmers' Union is daily gaining in strength and solidarity. It is now recognised by politicians that when the farmers speak through their Union it is well to pay heed. Numerically the strongest class in the community, they have suffered hitherto because of the lack of unanimity in their own ranks, all other combinations regarding them as lawful prey. This condition of affairs is approaching an end. When Mr A. C. Glass, of Kaitaia, formed the first branch of the Union some 18 years ago, it was recognised there was great possibilities before the movement, but farmers were slow to avail themselves of the organisation; for some years the movement lagged, and but for the earnestness and zeal of a few stalwarts (several of whom were in Hamilton yesterday) the Union would have languished and died from inanimation. The enthusiasts, however, stuck gallantly to th«ir guns through good report and ill, with the result that the New Zealand Farmers' Union is now fast coming into its own. The sub-provincial scheme which has now been so successfully inaugurated in Waikato and King Country, apparently supplies the missing link in the organisation, and as it extends throughout the Dominion—as it soon will—it will keep the individual branches in close touch with the Dominion Executive, and the primary producers will be able to present a solid and compact front to the despoiler. Farmers owe it to themselves to conserve their interests and to be loyal to their own institutions. If they are they can be in the position to snap their fingers at the common enemy, and trusts and combines need have no terror for them. The danger, however, lies within their own fold, for there are still those who for the sake of a small temporary gain do not hesitate to go over to the enemy." These are the men the Union will have to watch. It is little use organising to combat an enemy if those who are organised are not staunch to their fellows. However, these are matters which no doubt members of the Union will effectively deal with when they are in a position to do so; they will have to in self-defence. In the meantime, recognising the important bearing upon the future of the movement of such gatherings as that held in Hamilton yesterday, we congratulate the executive of the Waikato SubProvincial District upon their enterprise, and confidently predict that it will have a lasting and far-reaching effect in tha maintenance of a lively interest in Union affairs throughout the district. This must result in the general good.